Transparent tinted coating for appliance exterior panels to allow for tinted surface patterns and a process for application of coating

ABSTRACT

An exterior panel for a kitchen appliance includes a metallic substrate having a predetermined surface pattern on at least one side of the metallic substrate, wherein the metallic substrate is formed to include a predetermined contour. A coating layer is an organic paint coating composition on the at least one side of the metallic substrate, the coating layer including a predetermined color and a fingerprint resistive surface, wherein the coating layer is at least partially translucent such that the predetermined surface pattern is visible with the naked eye through the coating layer, and wherein the predetermined surface pattern is modified by the coating layer to reflect the combination of the predetermined surface pattern and the predetermined color of the coating layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/359,054 filed Nov. 22, 2016, entitled TRANSPARENT TINTEDCOATING FOR APPLIANCE EXTERIOR PANELS TO ALLOW FOR TINTED SURFACEPATTERNS AND A PROCESS FOR APPLICATION OF COATING, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/573,824 filed Dec.17, 2014, entitled TRANSPARENT TINTED COATING FOR APPLIANCE EXTERIORPANELS TO ALLOW FOR TINTED SURFACE PATTERNS AND A PROCESS FORAPPLICATION OF COATING, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,534,830, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to finished outer panels forkitchen appliances, and more specifically, a transparent tinted coatingcomposition that is applied to a finished outer panel of an applianceand a process for applying such a transparent tinted coating compositionto a finished outer panel for an appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Coatings for metallic panels are known where such coatings are typicallyused for aesthetics or for utility and/or safety purposes. Conventionalaesthetic coatings can be applied using a process known in the art asphysical vapor deposition (PVD). This process calls for the vaporizationof a metallic material and application of that vaporized material onto asurface of a metallic panel. This process can be expensive and thecoating applied by PVD tends to be uneven and inconsistent.

Electrically inhibitive coatings on metal panels for safety purposeshave been used on electrical boxes and other metal panels for electricalequipment and other utility fixtures, where such coatings are disposed,generally, on the back side of metallic panels. These coatings tend toprovide a barrier layer or a layer of non-conductive material to preventtransmission of electricity from various electrical equipment throughthe outer panel and to the user. Such coatings are generally not foraesthetics and are simply a utilitarian solution to the problem oftransmission of electricity. These coatings tend to be opaque and can bedark in color such that the back side of the metallic panel is notvisible, but rather, only the coating is visible.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In at least one aspect, an exterior panel for a kitchen applianceincludes a metallic substrate having a predetermined surface pattern onat least one side of the metallic substrate, wherein the metallicsubstrate is formed to include a predetermined contour. A coating layeris an organic paint coating composition on the at least one side of themetallic substrate. The coating layer includes a predetermined color anda fingerprint resistive surface, wherein the coating layer is at leastpartially translucent such that the predetermined surface pattern isvisible with the naked eye through the coating layer. The predeterminedsurface pattern is modified by the coating layer to reflect thecombination of the predetermined surface pattern and the predeterminedcolor of the coating layer.

In at least another aspect, a kitchen appliance includes a metallicshaped outer metal panel having a surface texture defined on at leastone side of the metallic shaped outer panel and disposed upon a kitchenappliance. The metallic shaped outer panel is formed into apredetermined shape. A tinted outer coating is a thermosetting polyesterapplied to the at least one side of the metallic shaped outer panel. Thetinted outer coating has a thickness within the range of approximately0.2 mils to approximately 0.6 mils. The tinted outer coating is also atleast partially fingerprint resistant and at least partiallytranslucent, wherein the surface texture is substantially visiblethrough the tinted outer coating when viewed with the naked eye. Themetallic shaped outer panel is configured to be formed into thepredetermined shape after the tinted outer coating is applied to the atleast one side of the metallic shaped outer panel.

In at least another aspect, a tinted outer shell for an applianceincludes a frame, and a stainless steel substrate having a predeterminedsurface pattern defined within at least one side of the stainless steelsubstrate. The stainless steel substrate is one of grade 430 stainlesssteel and grade 201 stainless steel. The stainless steel substrate isshaped in a predetermined contour and is applied to and supported by theframe of the appliance. A coating layer, being an organic paint coatingcomposition, is disposed on the predetermined surface pattern. Thecoating layer includes a thermosetting polyester and is at leastpartially transparent. The coating layer includes a predetermined tintthat filters a predetermined wavelength of visible light that passesthrough the coating layer, thereby causing the predetermined surfacepattern to visually define a tinted surface pattern having a differentcolor than the predetermined surface pattern.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentdisclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilledin the art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure,there are shown in the drawings, certain embodiment(s) which arepresently preferred. It should be understood, however, that thedisclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown. Drawings are not necessary to scale. Certainfeatures of the disclosure may be exaggerated in scale or shown inschematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an appliance incorporating anembodiment of the transparent tinted coating;

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of a metal panel incorporating anaspect of the transparent tinted coating;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the metal panel of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the metal panel of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken at area V;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the coating assembly forapplying the transparent tinted coating onto a metal panel, according toone embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the reverse rolling assemblyfor applying the transparent tinted coating onto a metal panel,according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a schematic flow diagram illustrating a process forcoating an exterior panel for an appliance with the transparent tintedcoating, according to one embodiment of such a process; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a process forinstalling a metallic substrate panel having a transparent tintedcoating thereon onto an appliance, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the subject disclosure is not limited to theparticular embodiments of the disclosure described below, as variationsof the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within thescope of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that theterminology employed is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope ofthe present disclosure will be established by the appended claims.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range, and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range, is encompassed within the disclosure. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in thesmaller ranges, and are also encompassed within the disclosure, subjectto any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either orboth of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.

In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, reference numeral 10 generally refers to atransparent tinted coating that is applied to a metallic substrate panel12, such as an exterior panel 14, for installation upon an appliance 16.Such appliances 16 can include, but are not limited to, refrigerators,ovens, microwaves, washers, dryers, dishwashers, air handling equipment,food processors, countertop cooking devices, lighting fixtures, venthoods, decorative trim, or other similar household or commercialappliances 16. The transparent tinted coating 10 can be placed upon anexterior panel 14 for such an appliance 16, where the exterior panel 14includes the metallic substrate panel 12 having a predetermined surfacepattern 18 on at least one side 20 of the metallic substrate panel 12.Thereafter, the metallic substrate panel 12 is formed to include apredetermined contour 22, shape, or other three-dimensionalconfiguration. A coating layer, in the form of the transparent tintedcoating 10 and being an organic paint coating composition 132, isdisposed on the at least one side 20 of the metallic substrate panel 12having the predetermined surface pattern 18. The layer of thetransparent tinted coating 10 includes a predetermined color 24 and isat least partially fingerprint resistant. The transparent tinted coating10, which can also be at least partially translucent (and not opaque),allows the predetermined surface pattern 18 to be visible with the nakedeye through the transparent tinted coating 10. In this manner, thepredetermined surface pattern 18 is visually modified by the transparenttinted coating 10 to reflect the combination of the predeterminedsurface pattern 18 of the metallic substrate and the predetermined color24 of the transparent tinted coating 10. According to the variousembodiments, the transparent tinted coating 10 is a thermosettingpolyester that is configured to be applied by a reverse rollingmechanism 40 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). Additionally, the transparenttinted coating 10 is not capable of being applied by physical vapordeposition (PVD).

Referring again to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, thetransparent tinted coating 10 allows the predetermined surface pattern18 disposed upon the metallic substrate panel 12 to be viewed, with thenaked eye, through the transparent tinted coating 10. Moreover, as aviewer of the appliance 16 is looking at the outer surface 50 of theappliance 16, the predetermined surface pattern 18 is modified to addthe predetermined color 24 of the transparent tinted coating 10 to givethe metallic substrate panel 12 the appearance of a colored finish inaddition to having the predetermined surface pattern 18. The transparenttinted coating 10 also includes a fingerprint resistant outer surface50. Accordingly, when a user places their hands upon the appliance 16,the transparent tinted coating 10 resists the application offingerprints upon the outer surface 50 of the appliance 16, such thatfingerprints are not substantially visible upon the outer surface 50 ofthe appliance 16 after being touched by a user.

Referring again to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, thetransparent tinted coating 10 can have a thickness, when applied to themetallic substrate panel 12, within a range of from approximately 0.2mils to approximately 0.6 mils. In various embodiments, the transparenttinted coating 10 can have a thickness within the range of fromapproximately 0.25 mils to approximately 0.5 mils.

According to the various embodiments, the predetermined color 24 of thetransparent tinted coating 10 is provided by adding a predeterminedportion of various predetermined additives that are disposed within thetransparent tinted coating 10. The predetermined proportion of thepredetermined additives are sufficient to allow the transparent tintedcoating 10 to be at least partially translucent such that thepredetermined surface pattern 18 of the metallic substrate panel 12 canbe visible through the transparent tinted coating 10. The predeterminedadditives, according to the various embodiments, can include at leastone of, but is not limited to, carbon black, tinted resin, and othervarious color producing additives. According to the various embodiments,other additives that are included within the transparent tinted coating10 can include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether,aromatic naphtha in a heavy form, xylene, isophorone, diethylene glycolbutyl ether, aromatic naphtha in a light form, dipropylene glycol methylether, various forms of trimethyl benzene, propylene glycol, monomethylether acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, naphthalene, ethyl benzene, n-butylalcohol, formaldehyde, c.i. pigment black 7, cumene, various resins,combinations thereof, and other various additives.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, by way ofexample, and not limitation, according to various embodiments, thepredetermined additive can be carbon black. The predetermined portion ofcarbon black disposed within various embodiments of the transparenttinted coating 10 can be within the range of approximately 0.1 percentby weight and approximately 1 percent by weight. It is contemplated thatcarbon black, as a predetermined additive, can have a greater or lesserproportion, by weight, within the transparent tinted coating 10. By wayof example, and not limitation, the use of carbon black in thetransparent tinted coating 10 can be used to provide a transparenttinted coating 10 having the general color of black, gray, or other atleast partially translucent gradient of the color black. It iscontemplated that various other additives can include differentpredetermined colors 24 or tints within the transparent coating layer,that can include, but are not limited to, bronze, pewter, gold, othergenerally metallic-type color, red, blue, yellow, green, as well ascombinations thereof that may result in a plurality of possiblepredetermined colors 24. Each of these predetermined colors 24 and tintsdescribed above can be incorporated, so long as the result is that thepredetermined surface pattern 18 applied to the metallic substrate panel12 is visible, at least with the naked eye, through the transparenttinted coating 10.

In order to provide further information regarding the predeterminedcolors 24 that can be created by the application of the transparenttinted coating 10 to a metallic substrate panel 12, two example chartsare provided. Each chart provides technical color data expressed inCIELAB format, similar to that provided by X-Rite®, Inc. of GrandRapids, Mich. This data expresses, in numerical terms, specific colors.The first chart, labeled Example A, provides CIELAB informationregarding a control metallic substrate panel 12 that is uncoated. Thiscontrol metallic substrate panel 12, in this example, is labeled as“Poseidon Stainless.” The Example A chart also provides CIELABinformation regarding an exemplary transparent tinted coating 10 thathas been applied to the “Poseidon Stainless” metallic substrate panel12, having “Glazed Bronze” as its predetermined color 24. The chart ofExample A also provides a “A” or delta difference set of CIELAB dataillustrating the difference between the coated “Poseidon Stainless”metallic substrate panel 12 and the coated metallic panel 60 having theexemplary transparent tinted coating 10. The delta difference data isused to express the color data, as the color data under CIELAB processesis difficult to obtain as to some transparent materials. Accordingly,the delta difference information provides the technical data about theamount of color change as a result of the application of the exemplarytransparent tinted coating 10, in the case of Example A, “GlazedBronze.” Also provided is the chart labeled Example B, which providesthe same information as to another exemplary transparent tinted coating10 having the predetermined color 24 of “Black Steel.” The same CIELABtechnical data is provided in this chart as Example B.

EXAMPLE A

L a b C h Poseidon 25° A/10° 25.25 −0.10 −0.19 0.21 242.32 StainlessF2/10° 25.24 −0.05 −0.15 0.16 250.59 F12/10° 25.25 −0.06 −0.13 0.14243.14 Glazed 25° A/10° 40.58 2.56 6.89 7.35 69.65 Bronze F2/10° 40.561.16 7.34 7.43 81.05 F12/10° 40.72 1.76 7.68 7.88 77.09 ΔL Δa Δb ΔC ΔhDelta 25° A/10° 15.08 2.66 7.08 7.14 −172.67 Difference F2/10° 15.321.21 7.49 7.33 −169.54 F12/10° 15.47 1.82 7.81 7.81 −166.05

EXAMPLE B

L a b C h Poseidon 25° A/10° 25.25 −0.10 −0.19 0.21 242.32 StainlessF2/10° 25.24 −0.05 −0.15 0.16 250.59 F12/10° 25.25 −0.06 −0.13 0.14243.14 Black 25° A/10° 20.84 −0.26 −1.71 1.73 261.46 Steel F2/10° 20.820.00 −1.82 1.82 269.85 F12/10° 20.80 −0.06 −1.85 1.86 265.08 ΔL Δa Δb ΔCΔh Delta 25° A/10° −4.41 −0.16 −1.52 1.52 19.14 Difference F2/10° −4.420.05 −1.67 1.66 19.26 F12/10° −4.45 −0.10 −1.72 1.72 21.94

While CIELAB information, similar to that provided by X-Rite®, is known,a brief explanation of the categories of information is provided. “L”refers to the lightness of the particular color. Lightness is sometimesreferred to as the luminous intensity of the color. The label “a”denotes the red/green value of the color and the label “b” denotes theyellow/blue value of the color. The label “C” refers to the color's“Chroma” or “Saturation” and specifically relates to the vividness ordullness of a particular color. Finally, the label “h” refers to thecolor's “hue.” The hue represents how we perceive the color, whether itbe red, orange, green, blue, etc. As to each of the readings of theExample A and Example B charts, all readings were taken at a 25° angle,which is an example angle of application that can typically correspondto the “Glazed Bronze,” the “Black Steel,” and the “Poseidon StainlessSteel.”

In addition to the comparative data provided below, taken from a singleangle, an exemplary chart Example C is provided below. This chartExample C provides CIELAB color data for the transparent tinted coating10 having the predetermined color 24 of “Black Steel.” This informationrelated to the example of “Black Steel” is taken at multiple angles toshow how the transparent tinted coating 10 can have a differentappearance depending on the viewing angle.

EXAMPLE C

L a b Black Steel 25° A/10° 20.84 −0.26 −1.71 Master Color F2/10° 20.820.00 −1.82 Standard F12/10° 20.80 −0.16 −1.85 L a b Black Steel 45°A/10° 13.96 0.40 −0.23 Master Color F2/10° 13.89 0.20 −0.30 StandardF12/10° 13.93 0.34 −0.21 ΔL Δa Δb Black Steel 75° A/10° 8.55 1.41 1.52Master Color F2/10° 8.40 0.62 1.42 Standard F12/10° 8.56 1.09 1.71

It should be noted that the color data provided in charts Example A,Example B and Example C are only for explanation/exemplary purposes andare not included as a limitation of the predetermined color 24 of thetransparent tinted coating 10 to these or other specific examples.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, it is contemplated that the metallicsubstrate panel 12 can be any one of various metals that can include,but is not limited to, stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum,iron, alloys thereof, combinations thereof, and other metallic materialsthat are capable of being coated with the transparent tinted coating 10to form a coated metallic panel 60, but is typically a brushed stainlesssteel that can have texture patterns on the surface after the steel hasbeen purchased. The metallic substrate panel 12 may also be free oftexture, i.e., it may be unpatterned.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, thepredetermined contour 22 that the coated metallic substrate panel 12 isformed into can take the form of various exterior panels 14 of variousappliances 16. While a refrigerator is shown in FIG. 1, it iscontemplated that the coated metallic substrate panel 12 can be used onsubstantially any household or kitchen appliance 16 having a metallicexterior panel 14. It is contemplated that the predetermined contour 22can include a plurality of external sides 62 that are connected byadjoining edges 64. The transparent tinted coating 10 is configured toextend over each of the external sides 62 as well as the adjoining edges64. In order to achieve the effect of the transparent tinted coating 10being applied over external sides 62 and adjoining edges 64 of thecoated metallic panel 60 formed having the predetermined contour 22, theuncoated metallic substrate panel 12 has the transparent tinted coating10 applied to the side 20 of the metallic substrate panel 12. In thismanner, the combination of the transparent tinted coating 10 and themetallic substrate panel 12 form the coated metallic panel 60. Thecoated metallic panel 60 is then formed to define the predeterminedcontour 22. As will be discussed more fully below, the transparenttinted coating 10 can be applied to an elongated sheet of a metallicsubstrate material 80 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), such as a rolled coil130 of the metallic substrate material 80, that is unrolled, coated, andthen re-rolled for delivery to be cut and shaped into the predeterminedcontour 22 to form the exterior panel 14 of the appliance 16. Accordingto various alternate embodiments, it is also contemplated that thetransparent tinted coating 10 can be applied to the metallic substratepanel 12 after the metallic substrate panel 12 is shaped into thepredetermined contour 22.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, in onepreferred embodiment, the metallic substrate panel 12 can include astainless steel substrate that is one of grade 430 stainless steel orgrade 201 stainless steel.

Additionally, according to the various embodiments, while the term“transparent” is used to describe the transparent tinted coating 10, itis contemplated that the transparent tinted coating 10 can includeranges of transparency and translucency, depending upon the variouspredetermined additives included within a particular transparent tintedcoating 10. By way of explanation, and not limitation, variousembodiments of the transparent tinted coating 10 can be partiallytranslucent, while various alternate embodiments of the transparenttinted coating 10 can be substantially transparent. The level oftransparency and/or translucency can vary so long as the effect of thetransparent tinted coating 10 being applied to the metallic substratepanel 12 results in the predetermined surface pattern 18 being visible,with the naked eye, through the transparent tinted coating 10 applied tothe metallic substrate panel 12. Additionally, the visual result of thetransparent tinted coating 10 being applied to the metallic substratepanel 12 is a visual combination of the tinted effect of thepredetermined color 24 of the transparent tinted coating 10 and thevisual effect of the predetermined surface pattern 18 applied to themetallic substrate panel 12. The result is a tinted surface pattern 100of the coated metallic panel 60.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, the resulting appliance 16 that includesthe coated metallic substrate panel 12 having the transparent tintedcoating 10 and shaped into the predetermined contour 22 being applied orattached thereto can include a metallic shaped exterior panel 14 thatincludes a tinted predetermined surface pattern 18. The predeterminedsurface pattern 18 can be a surface texture or a predetermined surfacetexture that is defined in at least one side 20 of the metallicsubstrate panel 12, which is then coated to form the coated metallicpanel 60. The metallic shaped exterior panel 14 is then disposed upon akitchen appliance 16. A tinted outer coating, in the form of thetransparent tinted coating 10, can be in the form of a thermosettingpolyester. The transparent tinted coating 10 can be applied to the atleast one side 20 of the metallic substrate panel 12, where thetransparent tinted coating 10 includes a thickness within the range offrom approximately 0.2 mils to approximately 0.6 mils. The transparenttinted coating 10 is at least partially fingerprint resistant.Additionally, while the term “transparent” is used to describe thecoating, it is also contemplated that the coating disclosed herein canalso be at least partially translucent, but not opaque. Accordingly, thesurface texture, surface condition, or other predetermined surfacepattern 18 of the metallic substrate panel 12 is substantially visible,at least with the naked eye, through the transparent tinted coating 10.In this manner, the tinted surface pattern 100 is defined by thecombination of the transparent tinted coating 10 and the surfacetexture. Additionally, while various embodiments of the transparenttinted coating 10 are at least partially fingerprint resistant, variousalternate embodiments of the transparent tinted coating may not befingerprint resistant or may only be minimally fingerprint resistant.

Referring again to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, thepredetermined surface pattern 18, that can take the form of a visualpattern, surface texture, or other similar predetermined surfacecondition can include various types of predetermined surface patterns 18that can include, but are not limited to, a mill finish, a mechanicallypolished finish, a brushed finish, a patterned finish, a bead blastedfinish, a shot blasted finish, an electro-polished finish, a photoresistfinish, an acid etched finish, a ground finish, combinations thereof,and/or other similar predetermined surface patterns 18, textures orconditions.

In the various embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, it iscontemplated that the predetermined surface pattern 18 defined on themetallic substrate panel 12 can be defined within or applied to themetallic substrate panel 12 before the transparent tinted coating 10 isapplied to the side or sides 20 of the metallic substrate panel 12. Inthis manner, the predetermined surface pattern 18 can be defined withinthe side 20 of the metallic substrate panel 12, and then the transparenttinted coating 10 can be applied over the predetermined surface pattern18.

It is contemplated that, in certain embodiments, various predeterminedsurface patterns 18 defined within the metallic substrate panel 12 canbe stamped, etched, embossed, hammered or otherwise imprinted into themetallic substrate panel 12 to form a relief. In such an embodiment, itis contemplated that portions of the relief-type predetermined surfacepattern 18 can be disposed within the coated metallic panel 60 after thetransparent tinted coating 10 is applied to the metallic substrate panel12. It is also contemplated that various combinations of thepredetermined surface patterns 18 listed within this application, andother surface patterns known in the art but not listed herein, can beapplied such that they appear simultaneously within the surface of themetallic substrate panel 12, and, in turn, the coated metallic panel 60.

In the various embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, it iscontemplated that certain predetermined surface patterns 18 of themetallic substrate panel 12 can include a relief having raised surfaces110 that at least partially define the predetermined surface pattern 18.In such embodiments, it is contemplated that portions of the transparenttinted coating 10 may need to be thicker in order to properly cover theentire surface of the metallic substrate panel 12 having the raisedsurfaces 110 within the predetermined surface pattern 18, includinglower areas 112 between the raised surfaces 110. It is also contemplatedthat the predetermined surface pattern 18 of the metallic substratepanel 12 can be used to create a color gradient of the predeterminedcolor 24, wherein the transparent tinted coating 10 operates inconjunction with raised surfaces 110 and lower areas 112 therebetween toenhance or accentuate the transparent tinted coating 10 and the tintedsurface pattern 100. As discussed above, the tinted surface pattern 100includes a combination of the predetermined surface pattern 18 and thetransparent tinted coating 10. By way of example, and not limitation,when the transparent tinted coating 10 is applied to a relief-typepredetermined surface pattern 18, the transparent tinted coating 10 maybe thicker within certain portions of the predetermined surface pattern18, such as the lower areas 112 between the raised surfaces 110.Accordingly, the predetermined color 24 reflected by the tint includedwithin the transparent tinted coating 10 may appear darker in theselower areas 112 of the predetermined surface pattern 18.

In various alternate embodiments, it is contemplated that a relief-typepredetermined surface pattern 18 disposed upon the metallic substratepanel 12 can be used to create a two-tone transparent tinted coating 10wherein the transparent tinted coating 10 can be applied only to certainportions, such as the raised surfaces 110, of the relief-typepredetermined surface pattern 18, that extend outward from the surfaceof the metallic substrate panel 12. A second coat of the transparenttinted coating 10, that may have the same or possibly a differentpredetermined color 24, can then be applied over the entire surface ofthe metallic substrate panel 12 to coat both the previously uncoatedportions of the metallic substrate panel 12 and the previously coatedportions of the metallic substrate panel 12 to create a multi-tonedtransparent tinted coating 10 that is applied to the metallic substratepanel 12 having the raised-type predetermined surface pattern 18. Wherethe multiple coats of the transparent tinted coating 10 have the samecolor, the application of multiple layers, or thicker coats, on certainareas of the relief-type predetermined surface pattern 18, may result inthe predetermined color 24 appearing darker or bolder in the areas ofthe predetermined surface pattern 18 having more or thicker coats of thetransparent tinted coating 10.

It is also contemplated that multiple layers of the transparent tintedcoating 10 can be applied to a metallic substrate panel 12 having therelief-type predetermined surface pattern 18, wherein the transparenttinted coating 10 can be used to form a substantially smooth and evenfinish over the relief-type predetermined surface pattern 18, such thatthe texture of the predetermined surface pattern 18 is visible throughthe transparent tinted coating 10, but is smooth to the touch such thatthe predetermined surface pattern 18 can be viewed, but cannot beexperienced in a tactile sense. In such an embodiment, the transparenttinted coating 10 can be used to fill the lower areas 112 of thepredetermined surface pattern 18 to make the outer surface 50 of thecoated metallic panel 60 substantially smooth and even.

Referring now to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6-10, havingdescribed the various embodiments of the transparent tinted coating 10placed upon the metallic substrate panel 12, described herein is anembodiment of a process for coating an exterior panel 14 for anappliance 16. According to one embodiment, the process includes the stepof providing a rolled coil 130 of metallic substrate material 80. Apredetermined surface condition, such as the predetermined surfacepattern 18, is applied to at least one side 20 of the metallic substratematerial 80.

The process also includes providing an organic paint coating composition132, being a thermosetting polyester, where the organic paint coatingcomposition 132 is applied by a process that is free of PVD. The rolledcoil 130 of metallic substrate material 80 is then fed through a reverserolling paint assembly 134 such that the metallic substrate material 80is unrolled from the rolled coil 130 and fed into the reversed rollingpaint assembly 134. Once fed therein, at least one layer of the organicpaint coating composition 132 is reverse-rolled onto the at least oneside 20 of the metallic substrate material 80. Once reverse-rolled, theorganic paint coating composition 132 is cured at a predeterminedtemperature and for a predetermined period of time to harden the organicpaint coating composition 132 into the transparent tinted coating 10that is at least partially fingerprint resistant. As discussed above,the transparent tinted coating 10 is at least partially transparent suchthat the predetermined surface pattern 18 of the metallic substratematerial 80 is visible through the transparent tinted coating 10, atleast with the naked eye. The transparent tinted coating 10 includes apredetermined color 24 or tint that visually modifies the predeterminedsurface pattern 18. The modification of the predetermined surfacepattern 18 reflects the combination of the predetermined surface pattern18 and the predetermined color 24 of the transparent tinted coating 10to define a tinted surface pattern 100 or condition disposed upon themetallic substrate material 80.

The metallic substrate material 80 having the tinted surface pattern 100can then be cut to form the coated metallic panels 60. The coatedmetallic panels 60 can then be formed into the predetermined contour 22to form the exterior panel 14 that will be disposed on the appliance 16.The shaped exterior panel 14, having the tinted surface pattern 100 andthe predetermined contour 22 is then applied to an appliance 16 to serveas the exterior panel 14 for the appliance 16.

According to the various embodiments, the process can also include thestep of pretreating the at least one side 20 of the metallic substratematerial 80, wherein the step of pretreatment occurs before the step ofreverse rolling the organic paint coating composition 132 onto themetallic substrate material 80 to form the coated metallic panel 60. Thepretreating steps are designed to remove dust, dirt, foreign materialand other debris from the side 20 of the metallic substrate material 80to be coated with the organic paint coating composition 132. Thepretreating step can include at least one cleaning stage and at leastone rinsing stage. Various inspection stages can also be included duringpretreatment. It is also contemplated that the pretreatment step of theprocess for coating the exterior panel 14 for an appliance 16 can alsoinclude applying a pretreatment coating 140 and drying the pretreatmentcoating 140 onto the at least one side 20 of the metallic substratematerial 80. In such an embodiment, the pretreatment coating 140 can beconfigured to directly receive the organic paint coating composition 132that, when cured, forms the transparent tinted coating 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 6-10, the process for coating an exterior panel14 can also include the step of re-rolling the coated metallic panel 60after the organic paint coating composition 132 is cured to form thetransparent tinted coating 10. Where such a step is included, thererolled coated metallic panel 60 can be delivered to a separate sitefor performing the cutting and/or forming steps of the process at adifferent location than where the metallic substrate material 80 is runthrough the reverse rolling paint assembly 134.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-10, it iscontemplated that the steps of reverse rolling the organic paint coatingcomposition 132 and curing the organic paint coating composition 132 candefine a coating application process. According to the variousembodiments, the coating application process can be repeated apredetermined number of times in order to achieve the predeterminedcolor 24 of the transparent tinted coating 10 and also the desiredthickness. Each coating application process can be performed by aseparate coating application portion 160 of the reverse rolling paintassembly 134. In such an embodiment, each coating application portion160 of the reverse rolling paint assembly 134 is positioned sequentiallyalong the path of the reverse rolling paint assembly 134.

According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that thedesired predetermined color 24 of the transparent tinted coating 10 canrequire a thickness that is greater than about 0.6 mils or less thanabout 0.2 mils. It is further contemplated that the exact thickness ofthe transparent tinted coating 10 can vary so long as the predeterminedsurface pattern 18 of the coated metallic panel 60 is visible, at leastwith the naked eye, through the transparent tinted coating 10 applied tothe metallic substrate material 80. It is also contemplated that eachcoating application process can be followed by, or can include, aquenching step, wherein the metallic substrate material 80 and thetransparent tinted coating 10, or a portion of the transparent tintedcoating 10, are cooled to a predetermined temperature. The quenchingstep can be performed within a quenching apparatus 170 included withinthe various coating application portions 160 of the reverse rollingpaint assembly 134. The predetermined temperature obtained through thevarious quenching steps of the process can be approximately equal toroom temperature or a temperature that is substantially cool to thetouch. According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that thecoating application process can be repeated, typically, at least twotimes, and according to some embodiments, can be repeated four times, ormore.

According to the various embodiments, the various coating applicationprocesses that are conducted during the application of the transparenttinted coating 10 can be of a single organic paint coating composition132 having the same predetermined color 24 that is repeated during eachcoating application process. According to various alternate embodiments,it is contemplated that more than one organic paint coating composition132, that may have different predetermined colors 24 can be appliedduring successive coating application processes by successive coatingapplication portions 160 of the reverse rolling paint assembly 134. Insuch an embodiment, a plurality of predetermined colors 24 can belayered on top of one another, as was described above, in order toachieve a multi-tone transparent tinted coating 10 or a transparenttinted coating 10 having a final predetermined color 24 that isdifferent than, or a color additive combination of, the respectivepredetermined colors 24 for each individual layer of the organic paintcoating composition 132 applied during each successive coatingapplication process.

Referring again to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6-10, after thetransparent tinted coating 10 is applied to the metallic substratematerial 80, the process can include an additional step of applying aprotective laminate to the outer surface 50 of the coated metallic panel60. It is contemplated that the laminate may not have its ownpredetermined color 24 but may be a clear material that does not modifythe predetermined color 24 of the transparent tinted coating 10 of thecoated metallic panel 60.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, it iscontemplated that the metallic substrate material 80 that is fed intothe reverse rolling paint assembly 134 can be a substantially continuoussheet of metallic substrate material 80 that is unrolled from the rolledcoil 130 and delivered continuously through the reverse rolling paintassembly 134. It is also contemplated that in the various embodiments,the substantially continuous sheet of metallic substrate material 80 canbe any one of various metallic materials described above.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the reverse rolling paint assembly 134 caninclude a linear assembly through which a continuous sheet of themetallic substrate material 80 is fed. The reverse rolling paintassembly 134 can include an uncoiler 210 that removes the coiledmetallic substrate material 80 from the rolled coil 130 to be fed intothe reverse rolling paint assembly 134. The pretreatment stages of theprocess can be conducted in a cleaning portion 212 and, in someinstances, a separate pretreatment portion 214. In the variousembodiments, the cleaning, rinsing and pretreatment coating portions ofthe pretreatment stage can occur in separate portions of the reverserolling paint assembly 134. It is also contemplated that these portionsof the pretreatment stage can occur in a single portion of the reverserolling paint assembly 134.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the coating application portions 160 of thereverse rolling paint assembly 134 are generally positioned sequentiallyso that each coating application process can occur successively within asingle continuous system or line. In this manner, each coatingapplication portion 160 of the reverse rolling paint assembly 134includes its own reverse rolling mechanism 40 and its own dedicatedcuring station 222, such as an oven, heater, baking device, or otherheating portion, where the applied organic paint coating composition 132can be cured and hardened into at least a portion of the finaltransparent tinted coating 10 before proceeding to the next coatingapplication portion 160.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the particular embodiment of the reverserolling paint assembly 134 includes four coating application portions160. It is contemplated that the reverse rolling paint assembly 134 canbe configured such that certain coating application portions 160 canremain idle, when not needed for applying a particular organic paintcoating composition 132 to the metallic substrate material 80. It isalso contemplated that more than four coating application portions 160can be included in a single reverse rolling paint assembly 134. Thereverse rolling paint assembly 134 can also include a laminator 230 forapplying the protective laminate coating 232 (shown in FIGS. 2-5) to theouter surface 50 of the coated metallic panel 60. In variousembodiments, it is contemplated that the laminating step can be omitted.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the reverse rolling paint assembly 134 canalso include a recoiler 240 that places the coated metallic panel 60back onto a rolled coil 130, such as a delivery coil 290, for deliveryto a different location for cutting, forming and assembly of the coatedmetallic substrate material 80 so that it can be installed onto anappliance 16.

Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, thereverse rolling paint assembly 134 applies the organic paint coatingcomposition 132 through a reverse rolling paint process, wherein areverse rolling mechanism 40 having a plurality of rollers applies aspecified thickness of the organic paint coating composition 132. Thereverse rolling paint assembly 134, for each coating applicationprocess, can include a separate reverse rolling mechanism 40.

The reverse rolling mechanism 40, illustrated in the embodiment of FIG.7, can include a pick-up roll 260 that is configured to pick-up theorganic paint coating composition 132 from a reservoir 262 or othersource of the organic paint coating composition 132. The pick-up roll260 then transfers a portion of the organic paint coating composition132 to an applicator roll 264 that applies the organic paint coatingcomposition 132 in a predetermined thickness to at least one side 20 ofthe metallic substrate material 80. The metallic substrate material 80is fed through the reverse rolling mechanism 40 by a back-up roll 266.Between the pick-up roll 260 and the applicator roll 264, the reverserolling mechanism 40 can include one or more intermediate rollers 268that are configured to proportion the amount of the organic paintcoating composition 132 that is delivered to the applicator roll 264such that once the applicator roll 264 engages the metallic substratematerial 80, the desired thickness of uncured organic paint coatingcompositions 132 can be applied consistently and accurately. One of theprimary features of the reverse rolling mechanism 40 is that theapplicator roll 264 rotates in the opposing direction of the metallicsubstrate material 80 delivered over the back-up roll 266. Accordingly,the applicator roll 264, instead of rolling with the metallic substratematerial 80, rolls across the side 20 of the metallic substrate material80 having the predetermined surface pattern 18 to deliver the organicpaint coating composition 132 to the surface of the metallic substratematerial 80. This engagement between the applicator roll 264 and theback-up roll 266 carrying the metallic substrate material 80 provides aconsistent and even coat of the organic paint coating composition 132being applied to the metallic substrate material 80. It is contemplatedthat as the organic paint coating composition 132, being a thermosettingpolyester paint composition, is applied to at least one side 20 of themetallic substrate material 80. The thickness of the uncured organicpaint coating composition 132 can be within a range of fromapproximately 0.8 mils and approximately 1.2 mils. It is contemplatedthat depending upon the exact composition of the organic paint coatingcomposition 132, the thickness of the uncured organic paint coatingcomposition 132 can be thicker than 1.2 mils or thinner than 0.8 mils.

Referring now to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, anotherembodiment of the process 600 for coating an exterior panel 14 for anappliance 16, which can also be a process for manufacturing a shapedtint-coated outer panel, can include the step of selecting a rolled coil130 of metallic substrate material 80 (step 602), such as a rolled coil130 of a stainless steel substrate material 80. Once selected, therolled coil 130 of metallic substrate material 80 can be inspected todetermine whether the gauge and width of the metallic substrate material80 are correct based upon the needs of the particular exterior panel 14for the appliance 16 (step 604). An additional inspection can include avisual inspection of the metallic substrate material 80 to determine ifany imperfections, damage, or other unwanted portion of the metallicsubstrate material 80 exists within the rolled coil 130 of metallicsubstrate material 80.

Once inspected, the metallic substrate material 80 can be fed into thereverse rolling paint assembly 134 (step 606) and put through thecleaning portion 212 to perform a first cleaning stage (step 608).During the cleaning stage, the material used to clean may be held at apredetermined temperature and a predetermined alkalinity in order toproperly clean the metallic substrate material 80 to prepare themetallic substrate material 80 to receive the organic paint coatingcomposition 132. After the first cleaning stage, the metallic substratematerial 80 goes through a first rinse stage (step 610) where thecleaning material is removed from the metallic substrate material 80.Once rinsed, the metallic substrate material 80 can go through a secondvisual inspection (step 612) to determine whether the cleaningcomposition has been removed or whether any damage has been done to themetallic substrate material 80 during the first cleaning or first rinsestages.

After the visual inspection, the metallic substrate material 80 is sentthrough a second cleaning stage (step 614) to further clean the metallicsubstrate material 80. As with the first cleaning stage, the cleaningcompound is tested to insure that a predetermined temperature andpredetermined alkalinity are achieved by the cleaning material as it isused to clean the metallic substrate material 80. Once the secondcleaning stage is done, a second rinsing stage is conducted (step 616)to remove the cleaning material of the second cleaning stage. After thesecond rinsing stage, the metallic substrate material 80 is againvisually inspected to determine whether any of the cleaning materialremains upon the metallic substrate material 80 or whether any damagewas caused during the performance of either the first or second rinsingstages.

Referring again to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 8, it iscontemplated that the metallic substrate material 80 can go throughsubsequent rinsing stages, such as third and fourth rinsing stages(steps 618 and 620) to insure that the cleaning material is completelyremoved from the side or sides 20 of the metallic substrate material 80having the predetermined surface pattern 18. The cleaned and rinsedmetallic substrate material 80 is again inspected (step 622) and sent onto the pretreatment stage (step 624).

Referring again to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 9, once thecleaning and rinsing stages of the process are completed, apre-treatment stage can be performed upon the surface of the metallicsubstrate material 80 within the pretreatment portion 214 of the reverserolling paint assembly 134. The pre-treatment compound can be tested toinsure that the pretreatment compound has a predetermined concentrationand a predetermined coating weight as it is applied to the metallicsubstrate material 80 (step 626). Once the pretreatment composition isapplied at the predetermined concentration and predetermined coatingweight, the pretreatment compound is dried at a predeterminedtemperature (step 628). According to the various embodiments, thepredetermined surface pattern 18 of the metallic substrate material 80can be applied before the pretreating steps. It is also contemplatedthat the pretreatment steps can serve to at least partially define thepredetermined surface pattern 18 applied to the metallic substratematerial 80. It is further contemplated that the pretreatmentcomposition and the application of the pretreatment composition can addvarious portions of the predetermined surface pattern 18 to the side 20of the metallic substrate material 80.

After the pretreatment compound is dry, the metallic substrate material80 is moved to the coating application portions 160 of the reverserolling paint assembly 134 (step 630). As the base coat of the organicpaint coating composition 132 is applied by the reverse rollingmechanisms 40 (step 632), the organic paint coating composition 132 istested to determine whether the appropriate wet thickness as well as theappropriate dry thickness of the organic paint coating composition 132is achieved. The smoothness of the organic paint coating composition 132is also monitored (step 634). It is contemplated that the speed at whichthe organic paint coating composition 132 is applied can be adjusted toachieve the desired smoothness of the organic paint coating composition132. Once the organic paint coating composition 132 is applied, theorganic paint coating composition 132 is oven cured (step 636) at apredetermined temperature. Once cured, the at least partially paintedcoated metallic panel 60 having the base coat of the transparent tintedcoating 10 applied thereto is quenched to the point that the transparenttinted coating 10 is cool to the touch (step 638). The application ofthe organic paint coating composition 132 can be performed a pluralityof times, in the form of a base coat, top coat and other intermediatecoats until the desired surface conditions of the coated metallic panel60 are achieved. It is also contemplated that both sides 20 of themetallic substrate material 80 can be coated with the organic paintcoating composition 132. Although, it is contemplated that only one side20 of the metallic substrate material 80 will receive the organic paintcoating composition 132, the pretreatment steps discussed previously(steps 626 and 628) may serve as a corrosion inhibitor that may prolongthe life of the exterior panel 14 of the appliance 16.

Referring again to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8-9, after thepretreatment process is completed, and before the metallic substratematerial 80 is fed into the coating application portions 160 of thereverse rolling paint assembly 134, the metallic substrate material 80is again inspected and tested to determine that no discernible defectsor other unacceptable imperfections exist within the surface of themetallic substrate material 80. Such tests of the pretreated metallicsubstrate material 80 can include visual tests, color tests, glosstests, thickness tests, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) rub tests, ball cuptests, t-bent tests, and other similar tests. Once these tests arecomplete, the metallic substrate material 80 is submitted through thefirst reverse rolling mechanism 40 to conduct the first of a pluralityof coating application processes that include a step of reverse rollingthe organic paint coating composition 132 and curing the organic paintcoating composition 132. Each coat of the organic paint coatingcomposition 132 that is applied during each coating application process(step 640) is tested to determine that it has the correct wet thickness,dry thickness, and smoothness as it is applied by the various reverserolling mechanisms 40 during each coating application process. Once theappropriate thickness and smoothness are achieved (step 642), theorganic paint coating composition 132 is heat cured (step 644) to formthe transparent tinted coating 10 on the coated metallic panel 60. It iscontemplated that the curing within each coating application process canoccur at a temperature within the range of from approximately 440degrees Fahrenheit to from approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Suchcuring can occur over a time period within the range of approximately 20seconds to approximately 45 seconds to form the transparent tintedcoating 10, or a portion of the transparent tinted coating 10. It isalso contemplated that the temperatures below 440 degrees Fahrenheit orabove 500 degrees Fahrenheit can be used for time periods of less than20 seconds or greater than 45 seconds to achieve the desired hardness ofthe layer or layers of the transparent tinted coating 10. It iscontemplated that these temperatures and times can change depending uponthe thickness of each layer of the organic paint coating composition 132that is applied to the metallic substrate material 80.

As discussed above, each coating application process is followed by aquenching step (step 646), wherein the transparent tinted coating 10, orportion of the transparent tinted coating 10 is cooled to a point whereit is cool to the human touch. After being quenched, the at leastpartially painted coated metallic panel 60 is submitted to thesubsequent coating application process or processes for application ofadditional layers of the organic paint coating composition 132 (step648). Once the final quenching step has occurred, the coated metallicpanel 60 is moved to the delivery/assembly process (step 650). In thisstep of the process, the coated metallic panel 60 can be tested,according to the various inspections and tests described above, todetermine whether the quantity and quality of the transparent tintedcoating 10 is within the predetermined parameters desired for theexterior panel 14 of the appliance 16 (step 802, shown in FIG. 10). Ifdesired, a protective laminate film can also be applied over at least aportion of the transparent tinted coating 10 (step 804). Once the coatedmetallic panel 60 goes through all of the quality inspection andtesting, the coated metallic panel 60 is wound onto a delivery coil 290and delivered to another location (step 806 and 808). Typically, theother location is an entirely different manufacturing facility where theappliances 16 are manufactured or the exterior of the appliance(s) 16are manufactured. The delivery coil 290 is typically shipped to theother location.

Referring now to FIG. 10, after being recoiled, the coated metallicpanel 60 material is unrolled and then cut using a cutting assembly intothe predetermined dimensions for use in various external panels of awide variety of appliances 16 (steps 810 and 812). Once cut, eachindividual panel defines one of the metallic substrate panels 12. Eachof the metallic substrate panels 12 is then formed into a predeterminedshape to form a shaped and coated exterior panel 14 (step 814). Onceformed, the shaped and tint-coated outer panel, or the shaped and coatedexterior panel 14 is then delivered to a separate assembly line (step816) and applied to a particular appliance 16 (step 818) that it wasdesigned to be attached to.

According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that the stepsdescribed above can occur in a different order or can occursimultaneously to achieve the same quantity and quality of thetransparent tinted coating 10 for the exterior panel 14 of the appliance16. The various steps and order of the steps can be determined basedupon the exact composition of the organic paint coating composition 132and the desired thickness of each layer of the organic paint coatingcomposition 132 to be applied during the various paint coatingapplication process steps included within the entire process 600 forcoating the exterior panel 14 of an appliance 16.

Within this disclosure, where the term “predetermined” is used withrespect to various features, the use of the term predetermined is meantto contemplate the selection or performance of an aspect of thisdisclosure either before the implementation of the various processesdescribed herein or during the implementation of any one or more of theprocesses described herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An exterior panel for an appliance, theexterior panel comprising: a metallic substrate having an appliedsurface texture defined within the metallic substrate, wherein themetallic substrate is formed to include a predetermined contour; and acoating layer being a single-layer thermosetting organic paint coatingcomposition on at least one side of the metallic substrate, the coatinglayer including a selected color, wherein the coating layer is aconsistent tinted transparent layer having a first side that directlyengages the metallic substrate at the applied surface texture and asecond side that opposes the first side, wherein the applied surfacetexture is visible with a naked eye through the coating layer, andwherein the applied surface texture is modified by the tintedtransparent layer to cooperatively reflect a combination of the appliedsurface texture and the selected color of the tinted transparent layer,wherein an at least one additive is carbon black and a proportion ofcarbon black disposed within the coating layer is within a range of fromapproximately 0.1 percent by weight and approximately 1 percent byweight.
 2. The exterior panel of claim 1, wherein the applied surfacetexture includes raised surfaces and lowered areas, wherein the firstside of the tinted transparent layer matches the applied surface textureand engages the raised surfaces and lowered areas of the applied surfacetexture, and wherein the second side is smooth and even.
 3. The exteriorpanel of claim 2, wherein the tinted transparent layer defines a firstthickness defined between the second side and the lowered areas of theapplied surface texture and a second thickness defined between thesecond side and the raised surfaces of the applied surface texture, thefirst thickness being greater than the second thickness.
 4. The exteriorpanel of claim 3, wherein the tinted transparent layer at the firstthickness defines a darker tinted area.
 5. The exterior panel of claim1, wherein the metallic substrate is grade 201 stainless steel.
 6. Theexterior panel of claim 1, wherein the coating layer is a thermosettingpolyester configured to be applied by a reverse rolling mechanism. 7.The exterior panel of claim 1, wherein the coating layer has a thicknessof within a range of from approximately 0.2 mils to approximately 0.6mils.
 8. The exterior panel of claim 1, wherein the applied surfacetexture is defined by a brushed finish.
 9. The exterior panel of claim1, wherein the coating layer has a thickness of within a range of fromapproximately 0.25 mils to approximately 0.5 mils.
 10. The exteriorpanel of claim 1, wherein the exterior panel is coated only with thecoating layer.
 11. A kitchen appliance comprising: a shaped outer metalpanel including a surface texture defined on at least one side of theshaped outer metal panel and disposed upon an insulated panel, whereinthe shaped outer metal panel is formed into a predetermined shape; and atransparent outer coating being a thermosetting polyester that is asingle organic paint coating composition that is a single layer appliedas a consistent and smooth finish to the at least one side of the shapedouter metal panel, the transparent outer coating having a thicknesswithin a range of from approximately 0.2 mils to approximately 0.6 mils,and wherein the transparent outer coating includes a predeterminedcolor, and wherein the surface texture is cooperatively visible with thepredetermined color to define a tinted surface pattern that is visiblethrough the transparent outer coating, and wherein the shaped outermetal panel is configured to be formed into the predetermined shapeafter the transparent outer coating is applied directly to the at leastone side of the shaped outer metal panel, wherein the transparent outercoating includes carbon black.
 12. The kitchen appliance of claim 11,wherein the predetermined color of the transparent outer coatingincludes at least two separate and simultaneously visible colors. 13.The kitchen appliance of claim 11, wherein the shaped outer metal panelis a stainless steel substrate, and wherein the transparent outercoating is at least partially fingerprint resistant.
 14. The kitchenappliance of claim 13, wherein the shaped outer metal panel is one ofgrade 430 stainless steel and grade 201 stainless steel.
 15. The kitchenappliance of claim 11, wherein the predetermined shape includes aplurality of external sides that are connected at adjoining edges, andwherein the transparent outer coating extends over each of the pluralityof external sides and the adjoining edges, and wherein the transparentouter coating is not capable of being physical vapor deposited onto theat least one side of the shaped outer metal panel.
 16. The kitchenappliance of claim 11, wherein a proportion of carbon black disposedwithin the transparent outer coating is within a range of fromapproximately 0.1 percent by weight and approximately 1 percent byweight.
 17. A tinted outer shell for an appliance comprising: anoperable panel for the appliance; a stainless steel substrate having atextured surface pattern defined within at least one side of thestainless steel substrate, the textured surface pattern having loweredareas and raised surfaces between the lowered areas, wherein thestainless steel substrate is shaped in a predetermined contour and isapplied to the operable panel; and a coating layer that directly engagesthe stainless steel substrate, the coating layer being a single-layertransparent organic paint coating composition, disposed on the texturedsurface pattern as a consistent and smooth finish and engaging each ofthe lowered areas and the raised surfaces to define thick coatingregions defined at the lowered areas and having a first thickness andthin coating regions defined at the raised surfaces and having a secondthickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness,the coating layer including a transparent thermosetting polyester thatincludes a predetermined color that filters a predetermined wavelengthof visible light, the thick coating regions filtering a first wavelengthof visible light and the thin coating regions filtering a secondwavelength of visible light, the first wavelength being different thanthe second wavelength, wherein the coating layer includes apredetermined additive that includes carbon black, and wherein apredetermined proportion of carbon black disposed within the coatinglayer is within a range of from approximately 0.1 percent by weight andapproximately 1 percent by weight.
 18. The tinted outer shell of claim17, wherein the coating layer is deposited onto the at least one side ofthe stainless steel substrate in a manner free of physical vapordeposition.
 19. The tinted outer shell of claim 17, wherein the coatinglayer has a thickness of within a range of approximately 0.2 mils toapproximately 0.6 mils.
 20. The tinted outer shell of claim 17, whereinthe stainless steel substrate is coated only with the coating layer.